Though at first this article seems like The Onion are taking the piss out of (and they might be) Stoic approaches to misfortune, trials, life, death, gratitude, nature and the indifference of
Category: Stoicism
The philosophy of: Being a prokoptonThe philosophy of: Being a prokopton
Those who identify with Stoic philosophy, don’t refer to themselves as ‘Stoics.’* But as Massimo Pigliucci says (at 15:00), they prefer to refer to themselves as ‘Prokoptontis’. What is a
Are you suffering because of a future that may not even be bad? Or may even be far greater than you fear? Or may not even happen at all?Are you suffering because of a future that may not even be bad? Or may even be far greater than you fear? Or may not even happen at all?
If something sucks, or worse, is terrible, do we suffer? Maybe you think yes. Is that situation of suffering definite (at least in your current perception of reality)? Maybe you
If you managed to survive okay without something or someone before they came into your life, you can live without it after it’s goneIf you managed to survive okay without something or someone before they came into your life, you can live without it after it’s gone
What’s the most important thing or person/people/animal in your life? At some point they came into your life, right? But before that, you were fine living without them, so it’s realistic that you
The philosophy: of Snufkin [pt.4] – Let go of control because ‘It’s exciting’The philosophy: of Snufkin [pt.4] – Let go of control because ‘It’s exciting’
Why, what else but to revere and bless the gods; to do good to men; to bear and forebear and remember that whatsoever lies outside the bounds of this
Is it realistic (and healthy) to be indifferent to EVERYTHING?Is it realistic (and healthy) to be indifferent to EVERYTHING?
If you didn’t give a fuck about losing anything in your life, and were ready for it, it’d be impossible for anything to shake you, make you feel down or
Optimism… pessimism… Same bullshit.Optimism… pessimism… Same bullshit.
The optimist taking an exam believes ‘I will definitely pass the exam’. And if they don’t it leaves them completely devastated, not being prepared for the chance they wouldn’t)t prepared for not
Here’s my review of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (and Stoicism): Just look at the state of the book. [+ The philosophy of: Marcus Aurelius]Here’s my review of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations (and Stoicism): Just look at the state of the book. [+ The philosophy of: Marcus Aurelius]
6 weeks ago, my copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations looked like this: And yesterday, after consciously taking my time to read as little of it every day as possible (so as
Everything is exactly as it should beEverything is exactly as it should be
Going through adversity? Good. Embrace it, pay close attention to it, how you feel during it, learn from it and it’ll make you tougher. Going through a favourable period? Also
Did Marcus Aurelius steal my idea (1800-1900 years ago)?Did Marcus Aurelius steal my idea (1800-1900 years ago)?
This is what my site’s about: And this is what Marcus wrote in Meditations (10:37): At every action, no matter by whom performed, make it a practice to ask yourself, ‘What is
One word changes everythingOne word changes everything
A friend wrote to me today telling me it’s been an ‘interesting’ time for me lately. Now, you don’t need to know what ‘interesting’ means in this case, but interesting is the
All the people in your life, all your memories, all your good (and bad) times = one blink.All the people in your life, all your memories, all your good (and bad) times = one blink.
Blink. Done? Okay, so in an average life of 75 years you’ve got 2.4 billion seconds. A blink of your eyes takes about half a second. So, say your life is
How to deal with anger (and getting boxed in the ear by a random)How to deal with anger (and getting boxed in the ear by a random)
What do you consider ‘successful’? Being rich? Famous? Attractive? Running a company that sells millions of dollars worth of some shit people don’t need? Sure, those are types of achievement, but
Practise Stoicism when things are calm and you don’t need it so you’re ready when they’re not and you doPractise Stoicism when things are calm and you don’t need it so you’re ready when they’re not and you do
The principles of Stoicism are easy to put into practice when stuff’s going well. To express gratitude for what you have, to aim for tranquility to be your core emotion, and
Ben Lee wrote about my blog (well, a line)Ben Lee wrote about my blog (well, a line)
This happened today (well, actually last week, but I don’t check my Facebook because I have 0 Facebook friends): That’s pretty cool. Especially since it’s Ben Lee –someone whose music
You know nothing and neither do I and neither did these guys. And that’s okay.You know nothing and neither do I and neither did these guys. And that’s okay.
Spanning over 2300 years, there’s one thing that bound Plato’s Socrates, Henry David Thoreau and Confucius together: They all knew nothing, and they knew it. This was a song Thoreau
This could be your last day on Earth. Okay, go.This could be your last day on Earth. Okay, go.
If this were the last day you were going to be alive, what would you do? And at the end of it, would you be happy with how you spent